Chris Paul on Clippers: “I wanted to go back and play here”. Could it be for more than a year?
The reintroduction of Chris Paul in Los Angeles in the end was more emotional than he expected, with hundreds of fans of clippers singing “CP-3”. It’s a little wild, a little crazy, “said Paul of the experience.” A little more speechless. “
Paul returned to The Clippers, where he played for six seasons, leading the team “Lob City” alongside Blake Griffin, who was a contender in the West but was canceled by a painful series of injuries and playoff collapses. Those were the peak of CP3 years – in its first five years with the Clippers never finished lower than the seventh in the MVP vote – and marked on average 18.8 points and 9.8 assists a game with the team.
However, it is not returning because of nostalgia. He said it was a “no brain” for Los Angeles because it is here that his family lives.
“This is one of those things that have manifested themselves for a long time, somehow they tried to talk to her, but you never know if it really happens,” said Paul about his return. “Because I like the frame. I love playing this game, but I love my family more than that …
“I wanted to go back and play here by any means needed.”
He wanted to return enough He told Malika Andrews by Espn He could play another couple of seasons, despite the general expectations this season will be his last one.
Paul’s role will be different with the clippers compared to a season ago in San Antonio, where he started all 82 games. With clipper, Paul will leave the bench as part of a second refined unit: the clippers are older but have 11 solid rotation players that Tyronn Lue can rely on.
Lue was one of the reasons why CP3 wanted to return.
“I’m thrilled to play for T. Lue, right?” Paul said about the clipper coach. “See, people probably don’t remember, T. Lue was my assistant coach when I was here with the Clippers and we were close over the years …
“There are many great coaches in this championship, but T. Lue is one of the coaches that I think of the teams, as if it should prepare for him too. It is strange to be in other teams playing against the Clippers, because many times you are just exploring, how can we stop Kawhi? How can we stop this? But do we know many teams compared to T. Lue and its ability to do.
Paul, Lue and these clippers are ready to win many games this season: they won 50 a year ago and have improved in this low season. That victory is also something Paul wanted to be part of.
But above all, the return concerned his family, and were also at hand for his emotional day on Monday.